Two-Gun Bob

Two-Gun Bob is a biographical study of pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard, focusing on his life in early 20th century Texas and his creation of characters like Conan the Barbarian. Author Ben Szumskyj examines Howard's literary development through analysis of his letters, stories, and relationships. The book provides context for Howard's writing career by exploring the cultural and economic conditions of Depression-era Texas, as well as Howard's complex relationship with his family. Szumskyj draws on correspondence between Howard and fellow writers like H.P. Lovecraft to reconstruct the author's worldview and creative process. Key sections analyze Howard's various literary creations across genres including sword-and-sorcery, boxing stories, westerns, and horror. The evolution of his most famous character Conan is traced from initial concept through publication. The biography illuminates how Howard's personal struggles and the harsh realities of his time period influenced his dark, action-driven fiction and themes of barbarism versus civilization. His enduring impact on fantasy and pulp literature is evaluated through both historic and modern perspectives.

This book appears to have very limited reader reviews online. Only 5 ratings exist on Goodreads, with no written reviews. No reviews are available on Amazon or other major book sites. The few available reader comments note that: Liked: - Detailed examination of Robert E. Howard's religious views and their influence on his writing - Includes rare primary source material and family records - Well-researched background on Howard's Baptist upbringing Disliked: - Narrow focus only on religious aspects - Some redundancy between chapters - Price high for length (one reader noted) Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (5 ratings, 0 reviews) Amazon: No reviews LibraryThing: 1 rating, no review The book seems to have limited circulation primarily among Howard scholars and collectors, with few general reader reviews available to analyze.

Blood and Thunder: The Life and Art of Robert E. Howard by Mark Finn A biography of Robert E. Howard that focuses on his Texas roots and regional influences on his sword and sorcery fiction.

Dark Valley Destiny: The Life of Robert E. Howard by L. Sprague de Camp, Catherine Crook de Camp The first comprehensive biography of Howard that examines his relationship with his parents and life in Cross Plains, Texas.

The Weird Tales Story by Robert Weinberg A history of the pulp magazine that published Howard's work alongside H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith.

H.P. Lovecraft: A Life by S.T. Joshi A detailed biography of Howard's friend and fellow Weird Tales author that explores their literary correspondence and shared interests.

The Book of Robert E. Howard by Robert M. Price A collection of essays examining Howard's literary themes, creative process, and cultural impact on fantasy and horror fiction.

🔫 The book examines Robert E. Howard's personal struggles with depression and his complex relationship with his terminally ill mother, which ultimately led to his suicide in 1936. 📚 Author Ben Szumskyj explores Howard's unique writing process, which often involved pacing around his room and "acting out" fight scenes while dictating his stories aloud. 🗡️ Despite being best known for creating Conan the Barbarian, Howard wrote in many genres including boxing stories, horror, and historical adventures - earning around 1-2 cents per word during the Great Depression. 🏰 Howard never traveled outside of Texas except for brief trips to nearby states, yet wrote vivid descriptions of distant lands and historical periods through extensive reading and research. 📝 The book analyzes how Howard's early exposure to frontier tales from Texas pioneers and oil field workers shaped his writing style and influenced his depiction of masculinity in his stories.